Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a first ion source (10) arranged and adapted to emit a spray of charged droplets (11), and a control system arranged and adapted to control one or more spatial properties of said spray of charged droplets (11) in use by automatically varying or adjusting one or more parameters of said first ion source.

Abstract: A method of producing ions from a sample is disclosed. The method comprises directing a spray of droplets onto a sample, and causing droplets comprising analyte from the sample to impact upon a surface so as to generate analyte ions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising obtaining or acquiring image or other data from one or more regions of a target using an imaging sensor. The image or other data may then be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then be used to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ambient ionisation mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical, tubular, rod-shaped, coil- shaped, helical or spiral-shaped collision assembly; and a first device arranged and adapted to direct analyte, smoke, fumes, liquid, gas, surgical smoke, aerosol or vapour onto said collision assembly.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample is disclosed that comprises activating an electronic cigarette (“e-cigarette”) or other vaporising or atomising device such that the electronic cigarette or other device emits aerosol, smoke, vapour and/or droplets, mass analysing the aerosol, smoke, vapour and/or droplets, and characterising the aerosol, smoke, vapour and/or droplets based on the mass analysis.

Abstract: An ambient ionisation source unit (10) is provided comprising: a housing (12) containing a first device (14) for generating analyte material from a surface of a sample to be analysed and a sampling inlet (16) for receiving analyte material liberated from the surface of the sample. The position(s) of the first device and/or sampling inlet is (are) fixed relative to the housing. Thus, the first device and the sampling inlet are integrated into a single unit that can be installed onto the front-end of an ion analysis instrument with minimal or reduced user interaction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample is disclosed that comprises surveying a sample in a first mode of operation by directing a spray of charged droplets onto the sample, determining one or more regions of interest in the sample, and analysing the one or more regions of interest in a second different mode of operation by directing a spray of charged droplets onto the sample. The spot size of the spray of charged droplets at a point of impact with the sample may be varied.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a first ion source (10) arranged and adapted to emit a spray of charged droplets (11), and a control system arranged and adapted to control one or more spatial properties of said spray of charged droplets (11) in use by automatically varying or adjusting one or more parameters of said first ion source.

Abstract: A method of analysing a target is disclosed comprising ablating a portion of a target so as to cause an aerosol plume to be produced and light or other electromagnetic radiation to be emitted. The aerosol plume is analysed using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry and the emitted light or other electromagnetic radiation is analysed using optical spectroscopy in order to determine one or more regions of interest of the target and/or one or more margins or bounds of a region of interest of the target.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed comprising a first ion source (210) arranged and adapted to emit a spray of charged droplets (211) and a detector or sensor (203) arranged and adapted automatically to detect, sense or determine one or more first parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) as the spray of charged droplets (211) impacts upon a surface of the detector or sensor 203. The apparatus further comprises a control system (204) arranged and adapted to adjust, correct and/or optimise one or more second parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) based on the one or more first parameters or properties of the spray of charged droplets (211) detected, sensed or determined by the detector or sensor (203).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising liberating analyte material from a sample and transferring the liberated analyte material towards an inlet of an ion analyser via a sampling or transfer tube (202). The presence of the analyte material is detected at a first position by a detector (203), and this detection may be used to determine a transit time for the analyte material through at least a part of said sampling or transfer tube (202). The detector (203) may be disposed within the sampling or transfer tube (202).

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analyzing the analyte ions.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a first target of biological material; and mass and/or ion mobility analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said aerosol, smoke, or vapour, or ions derived therefrom so as to obtain first spectrometric data. The method may use an ambient ionisation method.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.